Macross TV Vol. #1

By Chris Corcoran
January 13, 2002Release Date: December 20, 2001

The Review!Video: A

The region 1 release has much better video when compared to the region 2 release (which is an extremely rare occasion). The region 1 video is much clearer and there are no signs of artifacting or interlacing (even when pausing the DVD and doing a step by step frame comparison). The video is nicely presented when having your television calibrated properly, make sure you have sharpness turned down a little so you wont notice some signs of over-saturation. The first episode on this disc seems to have the most errors on it such as minor grain and hairs, but when viewing the rest of this disc you will notice fewer problems and pay more attention to the characters.

Audio: B

The case presents a Dolby mono logo, which is what the series was originally dubbed in. The audio is ok, there aren't any audio drop outs but occasionally you'll hear a few crackles. Also sometimes characters mouths will be moving but no voices will be coming out, this is OK because Animeigo has stated that some of the scenes where characters talk don't coordinate with the script. Also, is it just me or does anyone else find it strange that a plane exploding produces the same amount of noise as one character whispering to another?

Packaging: B

This disc has my favorite character on it but is presented in my least favorite color, orange. I like the layout of this disc, just not the color. On the back you get the four episode summaries, credits, running time, and copy writes.

Menus: B

The menus are nicely done showing all the episodes and having it setup inside the cockpit of a Valkyrie. Loading times are quick, but you are not able to skip the beginning screens. Also the animations seem to be a bit blurred, but overall are nicely done.

Content: B+

Macross is a great series, like most shows it takes a few episodes to meet the characters and get an understanding of the story. These episodes have some action scenes and do a good job of introducing the characters.

A giant alien spaceship crashes in 1999 and mankind unite to form the United Nations Government. They repair the ship for launch, when a bombardment of alien spacecrafts come for it 10 years later. Hikaru is visiting his brother (who works on the Macross), when this attack happens and all fighters are launched off into fighting the aliens. While flying a Valkyrie, Hikaru saves Minmay from a collapsing building. Much destruction goes on at the island and people are forced to evacuate. The Macross eventually takes off and then folds taking the entire Macross island with them all the way to Pluto. The last episode on this disc is about Hikaru and Minmay getting into a lost part of the Macross and trying to escape.

Extras: A

I'm counting the linear notes Animeigo gives us as extras because it does such a great job in giving very in depth information on Macross. It would have been nice to see TV spots, but these notes give very interesting trivia; such as the producer wanting to name this show "Macbeth" because he was a fan of Shakespeare.